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EFCC arraigns two for alleged $268,000.00 fraud

Published

11 months ago

July 7, 2023

Joseph Uduaghan and Precious Ojo

EFCC arraigns two for alleged $268,000.00 fraud

The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday July 5, 2023 arraigned Precious Ojo and Joseph Uduaghan before Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State. Ojo and Uduaghan were arraigned on 10 and three count charges respectively for offences bordering on fraudulent impersonation, obtaining by false pretence and money laundering. Ojo, aka obago, allegedly impersonated one Peter Gabriel, an American medical doctor purportedly working in Syria to defraud his unsuspecting victim, Agata Harasimowicz, an American lady, of the aggregate sum $268,0000 (Two Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand America Dollars. Uduaghan on his part is alleged to have received the aggregate sum of N170 million from Ojo which he used in the construction of a hotel. One of the charges reads:

“That you, Precious Ojo (m) sometime between July 2021 and April, 2022 in Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did with intent to defraud sent electronic messages which materially misrepresent your identity to Agata Harasimowicz, an American lady upon which she relied and suffered financial loss in the aggregate sum of $268,000.00 (Two Hundred and Sixty-eight Thousand United States Dollars) worth of Bitcoin and Gift Cards and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 14(2) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition prevention etc) Act 2015”.

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One of the charges against Uduaghan reads: “that you, Joseph Uduaghan (m) sometime between March and December, 2022 in Delta State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did directly use the aggregate sum of N170,000,000.00 (One Hundred and Seventy Million Naira) to build a hotel known as Obago Continental Hotel and Suites, lying and situate at Western Delta Road, Ogharefe Area of Delta State which funds you knew or reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of unlawful act of Precious Ojo to wit: Cybercrime and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2)(d) of the Money Laundering (prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 15(3)of the same Act”.

Upon arraignment the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo to pray the court to fix a date for trial. However the defence counsel, Pascal Ugbome informed the court that he has filed a bail application for his clients and pleaded with the court to grant them bail. He argued that the alleged offences were bailabĺe and that the defendants will be available to face their trial. The prosecution counsel opposed the application on the ground that the defendants are flight risk and could jump bail..

However, the defence counsel pleaded with the court to release the defendants to him pending the ruling on the bail. application The judge ordered that the defendants be released to the defence counsel who is expected to produce a letter from his NBA branch chairman attesting to the fact that he is a known member of the branch and that he has paid his practicing fee to date. He is to also undertake in writing that he will produce the defendants anytime they are needed in court and shall be liable to the consequence of a surety in the circumstance of a breach.

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Biafra Day: IPoB warns UNIZIK, WAEC to postpone convocation, exam

Published

3 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Biafra Day: IPoB warns UNIZIK, WAEC to postpone convocation, exam

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, has warned the Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK Awka, Anambra State Prof. Charles Esimone, and West African Examination Council, WAEC to postpone the convocation ceremony of the University and WAEC exam scheduled for May 30th.

IPoB, in a statement by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, entitled “Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC and WAEC Board to postpone 30th May Convocation and WAEC on that day,” said Prof. Esimone ought to know that 30th of May every year is Biafra Heroes Day and should not fix any programs of his University on that day, just as WAEC should have known that that day is sacrosanct to all Igbo men and women.

IPoB’s statement reads, “Dear Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone Vice Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, UNIZIK Anambra State. The attention of the global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPoB, led by our indomitable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has been drawn to your proposed University’s Convocation date of 30th May, 2024 and the WAEC examinations for the same day.

“We urge you to kindly reschedule your convocation and exams to a new date because 30th of May, is the Biafra Heroes Day and a sit-at-home for all Biafrans in the Biafra land.

“Dear VC Esimone, if you consider yourself a Biafra, you ought to know that 30th of May is a Biafra Heroes day. And WAEC board members, Biafra Heroes day is sacrosanct to Ndigbo, you dare not fix your exam on that day if you have respect for Igbo race.

“Nevertheless, we are reminding you and the UNIZIK University Management and WAEC board that May 30 of every year is a sacred day set aside to honour Biafra heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate prize and sacrifice for the survival of Biafrans.

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“That day remains sacred and a day that Biafrans sit-at-home to remember and honour our heroes who fell during the Nigerian genocidal war against Biafrans between 1967 to 1970.

“Even until the present day the killing has not stopped. No public event is expected to take place in Biafra land on this day. Biafra Heroes day is a public holiday and a sit-at-home in Biafra land for Biafrans in honor of our fallen heroes and heroines. All markets, schools, banks, government and private offices are expected to be under lock and key.

“Movement of persons and vehicles are not allowed except those on essential or emergency services such as Journalists, health workers, Ambulance, Fire Service, Filling stations and Hospitals etc.

“West African examination Council, WAEC, board should not endanger the lives of small children because that day is not safe for any individual in Biafra territory, it is a day everybody stays indoors for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for us to live and they must reschedule the date to another day. 30th of May is a Biafran remembrance day.

“If anything happens to those children they want to bring out that day they will regret doing so. By this open letter, to you IPoB is calling on the Vice Chancellor and the Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, WAEC and any other person or group that scheduled any program for 30th May, 2024, to postpone such program. Biafra Heroes Day takes precedence over any program in Biafra land on that day.

“However, if the Vice Chancellor and the Management of UNIZIK insist on having their Convocation on 30th May, 2024 in disregard of Biafra fallen heroes and heroines, they have decided to spit on the graves of Biafra heroes and heroines and should be ready to take responsibility for whatever happens afterwards.

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“IPoB will not enforce the 30th May sit-at-home, but will also not take responsibility for whatever happens to the violators on that day. The Management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University must not provoke IPoB.

“We do not take it kindly with people desecrating the memory of our heroes and heroines. IPOB calls on the students, the parents, the guests, and visitors to UNIZIK’s Convocation ceremony and those for WAEC exams scheduled for May 30th to apply caution and avoid being on the road the day Biafrans are mourning their dead.

“If the University goes ahead with the plans. Safety is an individual responsibility. Don’t endanger yourself for an hour-long ceremony. In the past, Nigeria security forces and their collaborators have killed and set some cars of those found on the road ablaze any time IPoB calls for sit-at-home, just to blackmail IPoB. Don’t be a victim.

“IPoB is therefore, warning all the persons and institutions paid to insult and desecrate the memories of our fallen heroes that their sponsors will not be there to save them when the rain starts falling on them.

“Those that have sabotaged their stock in trade will be collectively and individually held to account for their evil.

“IPOB is not a Umunna meeting or community meeting to be toyed with. As much as we care we also bite. UNIZIK Management and WAEC board should be warned.”

Biafra Day: IPoB warns UNIZIK, WAEC to postpone convocation, exam

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Popular pastor kicks wife, 6 children out of Abuja home

Published

4 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Pastor Stanley Ogbonna and his estranged wife, Chioma

Popular pastor kicks wife, 6 children out of Abuja home

In a shocking development, Pastor Stanley Ogbonna, General Overseer of God’s Spring Assembly, also known as Glass Church in Kubwa, Abuja, has allegedly driven his estranged wife, Chioma, and their six children out of their home.

The couple’s strained relationship recently culminated in a divorce, marked by serious accusations and public outcry.

Reports indicate that Pastor Ogbonna purportedly sold his properties to prevent Chioma from obtaining a share of his wealth, a claim he presented in court. This situation escalated on Tuesday when a viral video surfaced on social media, showing Chioma accusing the pastor of infidelity and domestic abuse. She described her 18 to 19 years of hardship living with him, during which she bore six children.

In the emotionally charged video, Chioma expressed her despair: “See him, God will help me. This is a pastor. Look at him. This is the pastor, Stanley Ogbonna. He called the police and evicted me and the children out of the house. Look at me, look at my properties all outside unannounced.”

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Chioma recounted how Pastor Ogbonna had already moved his belongings out of the house while engaging in extramarital affairs. “Today, he has come to disgrace me after laboring with him for 18 years, 19 years. See what the General Overseer of God’s Wing Assembly, Glass Church, Kubwa, is doing. I’m his wife, who labored with him for 19 years,” she added.

She pleaded for justice, emphasizing the suffering she endured and the impact on their youngest child, who is only four years old.

Attempts to reach Pastor Ogbonna and the church for comments were unsuccessful. The church’s inquiry line was unreachable, and emails sent to their official address had not been replied to at the time of this report.

Despite the ongoing controversy, the church recently celebrated Pastor Ogbonna’s birthday on April 18 with a program titled “Happy Birthday in Perfect Grace.”

This incident has sparked widespread reactions and calls for justice for Chioma and her children, highlighting the need for accountability and support in such distressing circumstances.

Popular pastor kicks wife, 6 children out of Abuja home

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Generator fumes kill seven people in Bayelsa

Published

5 hours ago

May 21, 2024

Trends Admin

Generator fumes kill seven people in Bayelsa

Tragedy struck, in the early hours of Tuesday, at the Amarata suburb of Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital as seven persons lost their lives after inhaling fumes from power generating set (generator) placed inside a music studio.